El Hondo

El Hondo Saturday 7th March.

Fairly low early morning temperatures with a light chilly breeze and temperatures climbing up to around 20C under a blue sky.

People wise it was busy, but with some of the birds on the water ways it was less so. The large area of water had numerous gulls, grebe, coots and ducks, with an Osprey Águila Pescadora) perched. I am told that the Spotted Eagle (Moteada) was seen perched and flying. It will not be too long before this big eagle flies north.

My purpose for this morning was to concentrate again on the Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Común) with many viewings both in the reeds and in flight. They are quick, but when they are seen through a scope it is a fabulous sight. They were full of song as well with more than one singing.
One birder thought that he could have seen an Aquatic Warbler (Carricerin Cejudo) which has a centre stripe on the crown unlike the Moustached (Carricerin Común) The Aquatics have been netted and rung here in the past but none of the acknowledged birders have not seen one here. Interesting and something to look out for.

Thanks to a local Spanish birder we had terrific views of four Penduline Tits (Pájaron Moscón) both males and females in the reeds very nearby. A most enjoyable morning with pleasant company and with sightings of Blackcap (Carruca Capirotada), Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común) and Cetti's (Ruseñor Bastardo) among the usual birds.